Our prediction for this Netherlands Eredivisie match:
There will be fireworks when Sparta and Feyenoord take on each other in the Rotterdam derby on Sunday morning. Sparta made a slow start to the season, with the team recording no more than one win the process. The relegation-threatened hosts failed to impress in a 1-0 loss to RKC, and it is no wonder the bookies see them as underdogs in the local derby.
The good news for the hosts is that both Abels and Meijers return from suspension. De Trots van Zuid, on the other hand, proved their worth in a 3-2 win over Cambuur. Feyenoord are eager to stay in the title race, and they should take advantage of Sparta’s poor form. Head coach Arne Slot should have a full squad to choose from, which is yet another reason why we are tempted to put our money on the visitors.
Highlighted Player (Bryan Smeets):
Bryan Smeets is a product of MVV Maastricht football academy who plays for Sparta Rotterdam in the Dutch Eredivisie. Smeets scored 23 goals in 144 league appearances for MVV before joining De Graafschap in 2015.
After his spell with the Superboeren, the midfielder moved to Cambuur in the 2017/18 season. The following season he joined Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv where he scored 12 goals in 37 appearances in the elite division. Bryan Smeets then decided to return to Netherlands as he joined Sparta Rotterdam in the 2019/20 season. He scored his first goal with De Kasteelheren in a 4-0 win over RKS Waalwijk on September 21, 2019.
His main position is attacking midfielder, but he is used as both central midfielder and right winger as well. Bryan Smeets has a contract with Sparta Rotterdam which should expire on June 30, 2021. He is a two-footed player.
Highlighted Team (Feyenoord):
Back in 1908 football club Wilhemina was founded in the pub De Vereeniging and they played their home games in blue-sleeved red shirts and white shorts. The club’s name was changed to Hillesluise in 1909 and soon they became RVV Celeritas.
Finally, in 1912 the club got a name SC Feijenoord. Feyenoord won their first Eredivisie trophy in 1924 and 75 years later they clinched their 14th domestic trophy, finishing the season 15 points clear of second-placed Willem II. De Trots van Zuid play their home games at De Kuip and the capacity of the venue is 51 117.
The club’s fiercest rivals are Ajax and the two teams face each other in der Klassieker. The likes of Craig Bellamy, Gerrard Fox, Wouter Bos and Raemon Sluiter are notable supporters of the club. It is well known that football legends Johan Cruyff, Ruud Gullit and Peter Houtman all played for Feyenoord in the past. De Trots van Zuid play their home games in red-white shirts and black shorts.